JEMPOL: The government has already set aside funds to carry out programmes announced in Budget 2023, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Prime Minister said the initiatives were not merely to appease the people or empty talk.

"The government has the funds to carry out whatever was announced in the budget," he said at the Kenduri Sekampung@Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia.

Also present was Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Ismail Sabri said the initiatives announced could only be carried out if the people gave the mandate to Barisan Nasional.

He said if the people did not do so, the Opposition may announce new initiatives in their manifesto and do away with those that had been announced during the budget.

Ismail Sabri said Budget 2023 covered all Malaysians with aid given to even those not in the B40 and M40 categories.

Separately, Ismail Sabri said the government would also build a Transmissible Diseases Centre in Negri Sembilan costing RM600mil if it remains in power.

The facility, he said, would be the only one of its kind in the country.

"I have to congratulate YB Khairy Jamaluddin for this and all that he has done as Health Minister.

"If we win and I remain PM, I will appoint him as health minister again as he has done a commendable job," he said.

On another issue, Ismail said settlers in Felda schemes who have rubber smallholdings would also be entitled to a RM800 aid during the rainy season.

This aid, he said, was previously only given to Risda rubber smallholders when he was Rural Development Minister.

"The Risda rubber smallholders used to get RM200 every month for three months as they could not go out to tap rubber during the rainy season.

"However, we have increased this to four months now as it rains up to four months these days.

"Apart from rubber smallholders in Risda schemes, those in Felda settlements would also benefit from now on," he added.

In his speech, Ismail Sabri reiterated that the Keluarga Malaysia concept is not rhetoric as it was designed to help all Malaysians.

He said every member of the family will be provided for and treated justly.

"In the budget tabled yesterday, there was something for everyone from the hardcore, B40 and M40 groups, fishermen, farmers, petty traders, women, youth, senior citizens, students, smallholders and others.

"In fact, pensioners will also get RM350 since government servants are getting a RM700 bonus," he added.